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Howard County TX
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BIG SPRING, TEXAS

"The Main Spring of West Texas"


Howard County Seat, Texas Panhandle*/ West Texas

32° 14' 36" N, 101° 28' 31" W (32.243333, -101.475278)

US I-20 (US 80), US 87
Hwy 350, FM 700
Hwy 176
40 miles NE of Midland,
59 miles NE of Odessa, via I-20
86 miles NW of San Angelo via 87
108 miles W of Abilene via I-20
106 miles S of Lubbock via US 87
ZIP codes 79720-79721
Area code 432
Population: 28,187 Est. (2019)
27,282 (2010) 25,233 (2000) 23,093 (1990)

Book Hotel Here › Big Spring Hotels

Texas T& P depot 1896
The Texas & Pacific Depot, circa 1896
Courtesy Doyle Phillips / FotoGrafica


Big Spring, Texas History


Big Spring in Brief

by Doyle Phillips

Big Spring has long been known as the crossroads of West Texas. The ancient spring for which the town was named attracted prehistoric people, Amerinds, Spaniards, Mexicans and Anglos. The fascinating Comanche 'War Trail' to Mexico branched at the spring.

Old tales are legion and photographic documentation is extensive.

Early explorers and cartographers noted the 'big spring of the Colorado River'. In 1839, Dr. Henry Connelly, a trader from Chihuahua, Mexico successfully led a huge caravan with a fortune in silver to Fort Towson, Oklahoma, stopping midway at the spring. U.S. Army Captain R.B. Marcy in 1849 lauded the beauty of the place and one of his Indian guides, Manuel, said that his brother-in-law died in a battle between Indians at the spring, fifteen years earlier. Official reports of Texas Rangers and U.S. Cavalry frequently mention the Big Spring.

When the town was formed about 1880 it consisted of canvas dwellings and a noticeable predominance of saloons. The citizenry was hard to tame; in the 1880 census Texas Rangers outnumbered citizens. Large mercantile stores were established to supply regional ranches of the Staked Plains. The Texas & Pacific Railroad hauled in materials of all kinds and took away cars full of cattle and buffalo bones for eastern markets. Railway workers contributed much to the culture of the thriving metropolis.

Two major highways were eventually constructed and prosperity continued. Fine hotels went up to accommodate commercial travelers and tourists from all over the world. Three airlines hubbed at the Big Spring Air Terminal - all in time for the massive discovery of oil in almost every part of Howard County. Even the Depression failed to kill the economy, or at least it seemed to be felt less. For a time there were four oil refineries located in the town.

Cotton farming thrived. Many gins were built in several communities throughout the county. At the beginning of World War II the substantial Big Spring Army Air Base was laid out and thus brought in new culture and new money. Big Spring and Howard County residents enlisted in the military services in unusually high numbers.

Music-making was an integral and large part of Big Spring area life from the beginning. Honky-tonks promoted many soon-to-be-famous performers. A magnificent municipal auditorium and city park with a unique amphitheater provided the stages for popular musical shows.

At one time Big Spring was reputed to have more Protestant churches than any place in the U.S., per capita. The population of the city once reached 35,000.


Big Spring Today


Skipping to the present, the town is now about 23,000 with a large part of the economy based on public-sector institutions, such as prisons, a regional VA Hospital and a state mental hospital. Although the decline in oil revenues has dramatically affected the entire region, employment rate is high and cost-of-living relatively low. New business ventures are encouraged by city government policies.

© Doyle Phillips

Big Spring Hotels › Book Here

Big Spring Texas gas station vintage  photo

A Big Spring Service Station c.1948
Photo courtesy Doyle Phillips / FotoGrafica


Big Spring Texas air view
Big Spring with The Settles Hotel in the center
Photo courtesy of Doyle Phillips / FotoGrafica


Big Spring, Texas
Landmarks / Attractions / Photos


  • The Spring - The town's namesake. next page

  • Howard County Courthouses next page

  • Settles Hotel next page

  • Hanger 25 Air Museum:
    www.hanger25.com
    A museum of the Big Spring Army Air Corps Bombardier School (its purpose during WWII) and Webb AFB (1955-1977).

  • Potton House (circa 1901):
    Second Street and Gregg - one of West Texas' best examples of Victorian architecture. Red sandstone construction with vintage furnishings.

  • Heritage Museum:
    510 Scurry Street. Local History

  • Big Spring State Park:
    On the southern edge of the city, this 340 acre park offers a scenic view of the city.
    http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us.htm

  • City Park: 400 acres downtown, including the Comanche Trail Amphitheater and the spring that is the town's namesake.

  • Moss Spring Centennial Marker -
    About nine miles SE of Big Spring near Moss Lake.

  • Big Spring Hotels > Book Here

  • 1953 Howard County Courthouse
    Photo courtesy Terry Jeanson, February 2007
    Howard County Courthouses


    Big Spring Tx Municipal Auditorium tower
    Photo courtesy Barclay Gibson, December 2009
    Big Spring Municipal Auditorium


    Petroleum Building, Big Spring, Texas
    Photo courtesy Barclay Gibson, December 2009
    Petroleum Building


    Big Spring, TX - Settles Hotel
    TE Photo, 2001
    Hotel Settles


    Big Spring Tx - WPA Peter Hurd Mural O Pioneers
    Photo courtesy Barclay Gibson, January 2010
    Big Spring's WPA mural "O Pioneers"


    Big Spring TX - Old Gulf Gas Station
    Old Gulf Gas Station
    Jimmy Dobson Photo, August 2017
    More Big Spring Old Gas Stations


    Big Spring TX - Stampede Dance Hall
    Stampede Dance Hall, opened May 8, 1954, Home of Hoyle Nix
    Jimmy Dobson Photo, August 2017
    Big Spring Landmarks, Old Neon & Ghost Signs


    Big Spring Tx Municipal Auditorium Building
    Photo courtesy Barclay Gibson, December 2009
    Big Spring Municipal Auditorium


    Big Spring Tx Hangar 25 Museum
    Hangar 25 Museum
    Photo courtesy Barclay Gibson, December 2009


    Big Spring Tx Hangar 25 Museum
    Hangar 25
    Photo courtesy Barclay Gibson, December 2009


    Big Spring Tx Hangar 25 Harrier
    Photo courtesy Barclay Gibson, December 2009



    Big Spring TX - Potton House
    Potton House
    200 Gregg St. (US 87)
    Recorded Texas Historic Landmark

    Terry Jeanson, June 2006 photo

    Historical Marker:

    Potton House

    Joseph Potton (1847-1920), a native of England and master mechanic for Texas & Pacific Railroad, built this Victorian residence in 1901. Designed by the Fort Worth firm of S. B. Haggart and Son, the house was constructed of Pecos sandstone with iron pillars and zinc gable decorations. Potton, a school board trustee, and his wife occupied the home after he retired in 1912 and often entertained here. Later their daughter, Mrs. Henry R. Hayden, and her family resided here.

    Recorded Texas Historic Landmark - 1976.

    Big Spring TX - Potton House
    Potton House details
    TE photo, 2001
    More Texas Historic Homes



    Big Spring Tx - Former State National Bank Building
    State National Bank Building
    400 Main Street, Big Spring

    Photo courtesy Barclay Gibson, December 2009

    Historical Marker:

    First National Bank in Big Spring


    Chartered on April 19, 1890, the First National Bank of Big Spring opened for business on the first floor of a two-story building at the northwest corner of Second and Clinton (now Main) streets with an initial capital of $50,000. The post office occupied the south side of the building until 1927; the remaining space was rented to a variety of tenants. West Texas National Bank, chartered on February 28, 1903, opened in a building on the northeast corner of Second and Main, and in 1909 began construction of a new building on the southeast corner of Second and Main. The 1920s were prosperous years for the local banks, but the Depression of the 1930s brought hard times to both institutions. In 1934 the two banks merged and became the First National Bank in Big Spring. The new institution occupied the former West Texas National Bank building at the southeast corner of Second and Main. In 1963 the bank moved to new facilities at the southwest corner of Fourth and Main. Pioneer ranching families involved with the early banks and the merger made a lasting contribution to the growth and prosperity of Big Spring.

    (1990)

    Big Spring Tx - First National Bank Building chistled sign
    Notice the sign changed from First to State
    TE Photo, 2001


    Big Spring Tx - Former State National Bank Building
    Photo courtesy Barclay Gibson, December 2009


    Big Spring Tx - Former State National Bank Building
    State National Bank Building architectural details
    Photo courtesy Barclay Gibson, December 2009


    Big Spring Tx - Former State National Bank Building
    State National Bank Building
    TE Photo, 2001


    Big Spring Tx - Former State National Bank Building
    The old State National Bank Building
    Photo courtesy Terry Jeanson, February 2007
    More Texas Banks



    Big Spring Cemetery Funeral Chapel
    Big Spring Cemetery Funeral Chapel
    Photo courtesy Barclay Gibson, February 2007


    Ritz Theater, Big Spring, Texas
    Ritz Theater
    Photo courtesy Don Lewis


    Ritz Theater, Big Spring, Texas
    Ritz Theater in 2009
    Photo courtesy Barclay Gibson, December 2009


    Big Spring Tx Former Theater
    Former Theater
    Photo courtesy Barclay Gibson, December 2009
    More Texas Theatres


    Big Spring Tx Palmer House Sign
    Palmer House
    Photo courtesy Barclay Gibson, December 2009


    Big Spring Tx Palmer House
    Palmer House
    Photo courtesy Wes Reeves


    Crawford Hotel in Bing Spring Texas
    The Crawford Hotel
    Courtesy Doyle Phillips / FotoGrafica


    Hotel in Big Spring, Razed architecture
    Razed hotel
    TE Photo, 2001
    More Rooms with a Past


    Big Spring Tx Vintage Texaco Sign
    Vintage Texaco Sign
    Photo courtesy Barclay Gibson, December 2009
    See Texas Gas Stations


    Big Springs TX - Alberto's Crystal Cafe neon
    Alberto's Crystal Cafe Neon
    TE Photo, 2001
    More Texas Old Neons


    Big Spring Tx Wagon Wheel Drive In Sign
    Photo courtesy Barclay Gibson, December 2009


    Big Spring Tx Bail Bond Sign
    Bail Bond Sign
    Photo courtesy Barclay Gibson, December 2009


    Big Spring Tx BBQ Restaurant Sign
    BBQ Sign
    Photo courtesy Barclay Gibson, December 2009
    More Texas Signs


    TX - Big Spring former Coca-Cola Plant Ghost Sign
    Coca-Cola Ghost Sign
    Photo courtesy Barclay Gibson, Feberuary 2007


    TX - Big Spring former Coca-Cola Plant Ghost Sign
    Former Coca-Cola Plant Ghost Sign
    Photo courtesy Barclay Gibson, Feberuary 2007
    More Texas Ghost Signs | Coca-Cola


    Big Spring Tx Control Tower
    Control Tower
    Photo courtesy Barclay Gibson, December 2009


    Big Spring public school, Big Spring, Texas
    Big Spring Public School
    Postcard courtesy www.rootsweb.com/ %7Etxpstcrd/
    More Texas Schoolhouses


    Big Spring Post Office, Big Spring, Texas
    Post office in Big Spring. "An Air Mail Hub of West Texas"
    Postcard courtesy www.rootsweb.com/ %7Etxpstcrd/
    More Texas Post Offices

    Nearby Destinations

  • I-20 West 39 miles to Midland, another 20 miles west to Odessa.
  • Hwy 87 South 86 miles to San Angelo.
  • FM 33 south about 25 miles to Garden City.

    Big Spring Chamber of Commerce:
    215 W. 3rd Street 915-263-7641
    Website: www.bigspringtx.com

    Big Spring Hotels › Book Here

  • Moss Spring Centennial Marker Howard county
    Moss Spring Centennial Marker

    40 or 50 years ago the Moss Spring Centennial Marker was easily reached from the north side of Moss Lake. It was a well known swimming hole during WWII where airmen training at the local Army Air Field came on weekends with their wives and girl friends to swim and hike to the distant Signal Mountain...

    Photo Courtesy Barclay Gibson, January 2010



    Big Spring Chronicles


  • The Earl of Excess by Clay Coppedge

  • Volney Erskine Howard by Mike Cox
    Reading vintage newspapers, it’s not hard to see how Texans early on helped to develop the long-standing notion that people from the Lone Star State are folks with whom it is best not to mess.

  • A Man to Count on in Big Spring - An Earl Comes to West Texas by Brewster Hudspeth
    "The Earl's adventures in Big Springs have become legendary. While there has been some embellishment over the years, the legends were nearly all rooted in fact. A few follow: ... "

  • Small Fish in a Big Spring - War bond tour brings Japanese submarine to West Texas by John Troesser



  • Take a road trip
    Texas Panhandle | West Texas

    Big Spring , Texas Nearby Towns:
    Midland
    Odessa

    See Howard County

    Book Hotel Here:
    Big Spring Hotels | More Hotels

    Texas Escapes, in its purpose to preserve historic, endangered and vanishing Texas, asks that anyone wishing to share their local history, stories, landmarks and recent or vintage photos, please contact us.


    Texas Escapes wishes to thank Doyle Phillips for the loan of photos from his collection and for writing the Big Spring history. Mr. Phillips is the author of numerous books on West Texas and Big Spring in particular. About Doyle Phillips and more vintage photos

    *Texas Department of Transportation includes Howard County in the Panhandle Plains

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     


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